Adult Driving Info

Westwood Driving School has been teaching adults to drive for over 25 years. Our instructors are friendly, experienced and know the most up-to-date methods of driving and safety techniques.

Driving lessons with Westwood Driving School are fun, comfortable and easy.

Driving lessons put to practice what you studied in the CA Handbook. Our driving lessons also give you personal attention in order for you to improve your driving skills.

Our instructors are licensed, trained professionals. Apart from their experience, they are also fun and friendly people. The Team at Westwood Driving School are all about safe driving, and help students understand the rules of the road.

Our driving lessons get you ready for what the DMV tests on, and most importantly, building safe driving skills to ensure you are ready.

If you are getting ready to take the DMV drive test, you’ll be given a final driving test to examine your abilities behind the wheel.

Westwood Driving School aim to provide the best driving experience. Come and see why we are the best at what we do!

General

The driving lessons are designed to meet the social responsibilities and legal requirements of new drivers. These driving courses are set in an atmosphere that is informative, creative and friendly. These courses provide the student with essential information concerning knowledge of the laws and the system. Our curriculum includes:

Causes and Prevention of Accidents

Signs, Signals, and Highway Markings

California Vehicle Codes

Rules of the Road

State and Local Motor Vehicle Law and Ordinances

Defensive Driving Techniques

Sound educational principles shall be employed which include one-on-one instruction requiring student involvement in a variety of ways.

Adult Driving Lesson Information

We pick up and drop off our students for lessons. Pickup can be at home, school, work or any place arranged in advance; please have a working [turned on] cell phone with you if your pick-up is not at home.

Driver Lessons are accomplished in a vehicle with a licensed instructor. The lessons are 2 hours each time. If you get a package of lessons, three lessons (6 hours total), six lessons (12 hours total) or ten lessons (20 hours total), it is SUGGESTED not to take the lessons too close together, if possible when taking a large package. If an adult can practice between lessons that is ideal. We know every adult is on a different schedule for learning, you choose when you go and how often according your schedule. We are available everyday, with an appointment. We will cover the basic driving skills, what you will be tested at the DMV on. Once these skills are mastered and the instructor feels the student can do so safely, freeway and parallel parking will be covered. It is up to the instructor to decide if the student is ready without interfering with learning and practicing basic driving skills (feel free to request freeway or parallel parking, and our instructor will make every effort to comply). We are not allowed to drive on the TEST ROUTE at any DMV. It is against the law for OUR vehicles to be on the DMV route, within 500 feet of the DMV, practicing with potential test takers. The DMV examiners are also very familiar with driving instructors, if they are found on the route the student may be prevented from being tested at that DMV. We will get you ready for a test, ANYWHERE you want to go. Your skills are what will allow you to pass the test, not knowing just the route.

Seniors trying to renew their licenses through the Driver Safety Office are welcome to give us a call to ask questions and take a few brush up lessons to ensure they will pass a new test. We will send the Safety Department a letter indicating what you did to improve your skills to be approved to take a Drive Test. There is more information a bit further down in this section.

We also offer special lessons on the freeway or for special routes. Ask the office. You may also take a lesson in your own car but we have to allow for the instructor to get to you without another student in the car. It is an extra $30 for the instructor to show up without a previous driver ready to be taken home or for you to pick up the instructor’s next student. We don’t want anyone in your car except the instructor and yourself.

We don’t allow friends or family to be in the car with the driver and instructor. If English is not their first language we request they at least review the English words used in driving situations. “Stop”, “Go”, “Left”, “Right”, “Intersection”, “Warning Sign”, “Light”, “Red”, “Yellow”, “Green”, “Brake”, “Faster”, “Slower”, these are the best examples. If we have an instructor who speaks their language, we will try to let you know.

The DMV has the responsibility of making sure that all of us, regardless of our age, are safe drivers. This is a difficult task, and if a senior driver has been told by the DMV that s/he must be reexamined, please do not feel that this is an automatic suspension or revocation of his/her license.

Every driver in the state of California over 70 years of age must renew his or her license in person. Additionally, if a family member, emergency technician, doctor or police officer request that he or she be should re-examined, or if her/his application or driving record warrants an evaluation, the DMV has the responsibility to give his/her a “Reexamination” (also called a “priority re-ex”).

As long as the senior driver is able to demonstrate an ability to drive safely, he/she will be able to retain his/her license. There is no ‘higher standard’ for senior drivers, but all of us can benefit from some training. Senior drivers will need a valid license or a Special License (we can help you obtain this) to take driving lessons. There is no minimum number of lessons that you must take.

The DMV (Senior) Testing Procedure

Make an appointment at the DMV so the wait is as short as possible. Call 1-800-777-0133 to make the appointment or use the DMV website for an online appointment.

The Vision Test

The vision exam and any update on vision prescriptions should be completed BEFORE taking the actual vision test at the DMV. The examiner will test the student’s vision by having him/her identify letters on a chart about 20 feet away. If the student is unable to read the chart, the examiner will have him/her look into a machine to further evaluate his/her vision. If you do not pass that test, then an examination will be required through an eye doctor, and hopefully, a new prescription. The DMV helper will give you a DL62 which you will fill out at the eye doctor’s office. The student will not be allowed to continue driving if he/she cannot pass the vision test, or if she/he fail to turn in the DL62 .

The Written Test

BEFORE taking the renewal written test (this is an 18-question test), be sure to take the Senior Driving Course offered through the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). This course is inexpensive ($10) and is invaluable in refreshing your knowledge of basic driving skills. The nearest class can be located by contacting the AARP through their website (www.aarp.org) or by calling 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669). There are also some sample tests that can be taken on the AARP site, as well as the DMV website (www.dmv.ca.gov). The DMV test is offered in different languages, large type, as well as an audio and a video test. Once you pass the written test, the DMV will then administer the Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (SDPE). We highly recommend taking driving lessons before taking this test. Few drivers would pass this test without training, even if they have “been driving for over fifty years!”

THE SUPPLEMENTAL DRIVING PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (SDPE)

The SDPE is similar to a regular behind-the-wheel test, but the SPDE also contains additional driving elements designed to evaluate a person’s cognitive functions. These additional driving elements are:

Multiple Directions: You will receive two directions at the same time. The examiner is checking to see if you can properly follow both directions.

Additional Lane Changes: Lane changing is an integral part of driving. Your test will evaluate this skill. Be sure to signal, look into your mirrors, TURN your head over the shoulder of the lane you are moving into, and maintain your speed. Do not slow down on a lane change.

Concentration: Your examiner will talk to you during the test so that he or she will see how you respond to distractions. Your response is necessary.

Freeway or Highway Driving: You will be asked to drive for a short time on the freeway, though if you do not wish to drive on the freeway, you may request to have a “No Freeway Driving” restriction placed on your license.

Destination Trip: Your examiner will have you drive to a location approximately two blocks from the DMV, then ask you to drive back to the DMV without assistance or direction. The examiner is checking for memory lapses and disorientation. This task is usually at the end of the driving test.

Common mistakes on a Driving Examination:

Failure to look over your shoulder when making a lane change.

Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or on a red light.

Failure to yield to oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

Failure to evaluate an intersection before entering.

Striking an object (even a curb).

Turning into the proper lane (right to right, left to left, avoid bike lanes until the last 200 feet of a turn).

Area Driving Performance Test

If you do not pass your SDPE and your examiner determines that you may be able to drive safely within a clearly defined, but restricted area, the DMV may suggest that you take an Area Driving Test. Your Area Test would evaluate your driving in the area you are most likely going to be driving in (to and from the store, friends’ homes, etc.) If you pass this test and meet all the other licensing requirements, you will be issued a restricted license that allows you to drive in that specific area only. Other restrictions might include ‘No Freeway’ or ‘No Night Driving.’

Administrative Hearing

If the DMV makes the decision to suspend or revoke your driver license, you have the right to request a DMV Administrative Hearing. This is an impartial hearing where you can present your case to the DMV. This hearing will take place at the DMV Safety Office, not the regular DMV in your area.
If you do hear from the DMV informing you that an action will be taken against your driving privilege, you have 10 days to request a hearing (14 days if the action was mailed to you). Do not procrastinate. You may lose your right to a hearing if you fail to respond within this timeframe.

If you feel the Administrative Hearing was unfair, you may request a departmental review to appeal the decision. Usually, there is no fee for the departmental review, though if you want a court review, you will be responsible for the expenses. You may have an attorney present (at your expense) at the hearing. You may testify in your own defense or ask others to testify as witnesses.

Adult Drivers

DRIVING LESSONS FOR ADULTS
(Automatic Transmission)

All Stick-shift (standard) lessons are "pick-up and drop-off" at Westwood Driving School, and paid cash only.
*"Back-to-back" means that the student will be dropped off back at home after picking up the next student. "No Back-to-back means that pick-up and drop-off are done with no other student in the car.

One - Hour Lesson (No Back-to-Back)*

$110

Two - Hour Lesson (Back-to -Back)*

$110

Two-Hour Lesson (No Back-to-Back)*

$140

Two Hour Stick-Shift (No Back-to-Back)*

$160

DMV SERVICE

Two Hour Road Test (optional)

$125

PLEASE NOTE . . .

When paying for packages of more than one lesson, payment is due on or before the first lesson unless other arrangements have been made with the school office. Otherwise, you will be charged a non-package rate of one lesson at a time, which is a higher rate.

There is a $30.00 charge for each returned check or unpaid/overdue balance. In the event you must cancel a lesson, it must be done by 2PM the day before the lesson, during regular business hours, or you will be charged a fee of $30. (If your lesson is on a Monday, your cancellation must be made by 2PM on Saturday, as we are closed on Sunday).

When requesting Standard Transmission (Stick Shift) Lessons, be aware that you will not be taught basic driving skills. You should already know how to operate a vehicle.

Basic skills can be taught on an automatic transmission vehicle before continuing to the standard transmission vehicle. All stick shift lessons begin and end at the Westwood Driving School office.

Requests for “No Back-to-Back” and “Own Car” services will be charged at $30 extra per service. All cancellations must be confirmed with the office by 2PM the day before any scheduled lesson, or a $30 cancellation fee will be charged.